Only one of two secondary schools proposed to deal with a forecast shortfall in pupil places is likely to be approved, it has emerged.

A member of the core team behind Hoe Valley Free School, to serve 11- to 18-year-olds in south Woking after a planned September 2015 opening, has denied it is in a straight competition because each bid will be considered on its merits.

But Claerwyn Hamilton-Wilkes did say she would not send her children to the Emmanuel College School of the Diocese of Guildford due to its faith policy and selection criteria.

A site has also been identified in the south of Woking for the faith-based school, which would open a year later, and the Rural Dean of Woking, Rev Cathy Blair, believes the school would benefit massively from the church’s experience in education and a partnership with Christ’s College, in Guildford.

Mrs Blair is part of the team behind the plans for Emmanuel College. It would be a free school or voluntary-aided academy.

Indications over secondary places needed in the next five to 10 years suggest only one of the two schools is likely to gain Department for Education approval when they apply in January. Although both parties have avoided overtly antagonistic rhetoric, this effectively means they are competing bids and one of the groups, which both have support from hundreds of parents, will likely be disappointed.

It was the competition from elsewhere which led the Diocese of Guildford to move forward its application date so its bid would not be made too late.

When the Hoe Valley Free School movement started in autumn 2012, those involved were aware the diocese had been interested over a long period in setting up a school.

But there has been little contact between the groups and the Hoe Valley scheme, led by lead proposer Mrs Hamilton-Wilkes and a working party of four other parents, has moved on quickly and attracted interest from more than 750 families.

Mrs Hamilton-Wilkes, currently a parent at Barnsbury Primary School, said her group had understood the church application would come later.

“The acceleration of their project came about because they were told that with the current projected need, it was unlikely both proposals would be approved at the same time” the mother-of-three added.

An Emmanuel College faith policy has been released, stating although the school will be inclusive and welcomes children from all backgrounds, there will be a ‘distinctively Christian ethos’.

The religious education curriculum will be distinct-ively Christian despite teaching of other faiths, and there will be a broadly Christian daily act of worship.

Mrs Hamilton-Wilkes said: “Our vision is centred around the families of south Woking whose children are being sent out of the area. Our vision is for an excellent school which welcomes all children regardless of their beliefs.

“We are parent-led, concerned about where our children are going to go to school. We live in a black hole for secondary schools. The new school addresses that. We have looked at nationally excellent free schools and academies, and want to replicate elements of them.”

Mrs Blair said the diocese had planned to take slightly longer over its application.

“The Church of England is used to taking it slow and steady,” she said. “It has been providing education since before the state and has a good track record for running good schools and turning around failing schools.”

Emmanuel College, where there would be 180 pupils in each year up to sixth form plus a new primary school, will have an admissions policy giving utmost priority to looked after children and those with special needs. Then up to 30% of places will go to children from practising Christian families.

As many as 20% of children could come from families of other faiths. Siblings of existing pupils, then those from Pyrford CofE Primary School would have priority above others with no faith backgrounds. Mrs Blair said: “It will be a school for children across the board. We’ve got a lot of people very excited and interested.”